Blues 2024

[george33]

My 37 with a prop to be added
Fullback Stephen Perofeta, Payton Spencer
WINGS Mark Talea, Caleb Clarke,AJ Lam, Xavier Tito Harris
MIDFIELD Reiko Ioane,Bryce Heem,Corey Evans, Harry Plummer,Taniela Tel'ea
FIRST FIVE Zarn Sullivan,Jock McKenzie
HALFBACK Finlay Christie,Taufa Funaki,Sam Nick
LOOSE FORWARD Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalili, Akira Ioane,Rob Rush,Che Clark,Anton Segner,Cameron Suafua, Adrian Choat
LOCKS Patrick Tuipolotu,Sam Darry, Edward Annandale,Lachlan McWhannell,Josh Beehre
PROPS Ofa, Marcel Renata,Josh Fusitua,PJ Sheck,Angus Ta'avao
HOOKER Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, Soane Vikena

[Bovidae]

@george33 Isn't Caleb Tangitau already part of the squad?

[george33]

He's doin 7s not super

[george33]

That may well be the way Spencer,Tito Harris and Clark go as well but I've added them as only 1 I've herd of is Tangitau

[Crazy Horse]

@george33 said in Blues 2024:

My 37 with a prop to be added
Fullback Stephen Perofeta, Payton Spencer
WINGS Mark Talea, Caleb Clarke,AJ Lam, Xavier Tito Harris
MIDFIELD Reiko Ioane,Bryce Heem,Corey Evans, Harry Plummer,Taniela Tel'ea
FIRST FIVE Zarn Sullivan,Jock McKenzie
HALFBACK Finlay Christie,Taufa Funaki,Sam Nick
LOOSE FORWARD Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalili, Akira Ioane,Rob Rush,Che Clark,Anton Segner,Cameron Suafua, Adrian Choat
LOCKS Patrick Tuipolotu,Sam Darry, Edward Annandale,Lachlan McWhannell,Josh Beehre
PROPS Ofa, Marcel Renata,Josh Fusitua,PJ Sheck,Angus Ta'avao
HOOKER Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, Soane Vikena

Will the Blues really play Sullivan at 10 and Perofeta at 15? I know they have played those positions for their respective NPC team but history shows us the Blues prefer Sullivan at the back. Also, I didn't watch any NPC this year, but did Sullivan play well enough at 10? There were some conflicting views on here about his performances.

[george33]

I did here the Auckland coach say about Zarn playing 10 is good for the blues, but him and Perofeta will most likely share the 10 jersey

[Duluth]

@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2024:

Also, I didn't watch any NPC this year, but did Sullivan play well enough at 10? There were some conflicting views on here about his performances.

He struggled. I haven’t seen anyone say he went well

Mostly it’s his option taking that needs work. Very little variety in his kicking game, almost everything was long. Also struggled at times with the lack of space at 10

Played better when Plummer was at 12 and took some of the kicking duties away from him (Plummer was injured most of the season)

[george33]

In the squad I named alot of the players as we all no can play multiple positions

[Duluth]

@george33 said in Blues 2024:

Taniela Tel'ea

Some posters in the Highlanders thread think he’s been signed by them. Maybe another midfielder?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@george33 said in Blues 2024:

My 37 with a prop to be added

When the Blues reposted MP's graphic announcing their signing of James Lay they commented "looking forward to Lay vs Lay scrums" so maybe Jordan Lay is the Blues final Prop selection or he is in the wtg?

[george33]

Haven't heard that, thought he had re-signed, if that's the case definitely need another midfielder and still a prop needed I think also

[george33]

@Daffy-Jaffy yes he could well be, some reason I thought he was also going to MP

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Duluth If Tele'a is gone I hope they promote Essendon Tuitupou or Leo Gordon. I would rather punt on a potential 'next big thing' than bring in a journeyman from elsewhere. Then we risk losing the youngsters to other teams.

[Daffy Jaffy]

This post is deleted!

[Daffy Jaffy]

@george33 I hope you are right about Beehre. I was becoming resigned to loosing him. your selection has one less back and one more forward than recent squads but i am ok with that if it means we keep Beehre.
He is the type of workaholic forward that Cotter likes.

[george33]

@Daffy-Jaffy I'm not sure if he will, but like you he's ready for it now, it's him or someone who ? Or do they see Cameron as there cover for lock

[Duluth]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2024:

@george33 I hope you are right about Beehre. I was becoming resigned to loosing him. your selection has one less back and one more forward than recent squads but i am ok with that if it means we keep Beehre.
He is the type of workaholic forward that Cotter likes.

Hardest working young lock. Good power late in games too

If they do keep the same same forwards/backs split and Clark goes to 7’s, maybe Suafoa is seen mainly as a loosie and that makes room? Or is there a possibility Annandale is on a development contract only? Not sure if he’s ready

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Duluth Interestingly Annandale's move was announced by his French club but I don't think we've heard anything from the Blues. Possibly he signed with Auckland NPC and Montpelier misinterpreted it as 'Auckland Blues'. We will find out in a few days.

[george33]

I'm sure Cotter will no a fair bit about Annandale, thought he went ok had an injury and we need that size,I expect him to be included

[Daffy Jaffy]

@george33 Yeah I am ok with him in the squad, just that Beehre's game is a bit ahead of his right now. Cotter will likely pull that potential out of him. I just hope we keep Beehre as well or we will spend the next few seasons playing against him. With Patty T. likely to head offshore next season we need big young locks coming through.